Method for performing multi-tasking using external display device and electronic device thereof

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for performing multi-tasking using an external display device in an electronic device are provided. A method for performing a multi-tasking work using an external display device in an electronic device includes the operations of executing at least one application, determining whether to output an application screen to the external display device, in response to determining to output the application screen, sending an emulator execution request to the external display device, and, after sending the emulator execution request to the external display device, determining an application identifier in a screen of an application whose screen is determined to be outputted to the external display device, and transmitting a signal corresponding to the screen and the application identifier to the external display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 16/694,111, filed on Nov. 25, 2019, which is continuationapplication of prior application Ser. No. 15/948,254, filed on Apr. 9,2018, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,489,102 on Nov. 26, 2019,which is a continuation application of prior application Ser. No.14/282,285, filed on May 20, 2014, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,940,088 on Apr. 10, 2018 and was based on and claimed priority under35 U.S.C § 119(a) of a Korean patent application number 10-2013-0058453,filed on May 23, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a technique of performingmulti-tasking using an external display device in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Mostly, electronic devices such as mobile phones and smart phonessupport multi-tasking capable of concurrently running two or moreapplications at one time. For example, while otherwise performing otheroperations, the electronic device can convert into a calendarapplication in order to view appointments or convert into an addressbook application in order to view contacts. While the electronic deviceplays multimedia data such as video or Moving Picture Experts Group(MPEG) Audio layer 3 (MP3), the electronic device can convert into amessage application and respond to a message. However, as a result ofthe limitation of a display size of the electronic device such as themobile phone and the smart phone, the electronic device has to convertone application screen into other application screen or display twoapplication screens through screen split in order to performmulti-tasking.

Therefore, there are limitations in doing a multi-tasking work in theelectronic device, because of requirements associated with portabilityof electronic devices, the electronic device has a display smaller thana monitor of a Personal Computer (PC).

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for performingmulti-tasking using an external display device in an electronic device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for using a plurality of applications of an electronic devicein an external display device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for using a plurality of applications of an electronic devicein an external display device in order to perform convenientmulti-tasking in the electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method forperforming a multi-tasking work using an external display device in anelectronic device is provided. The method includes the operations ofexecuting at least one application, determining whether to output anapplication screen to the external display device, for the at least oneapplication, in response to determining to output the application screento the external display device, sending an emulator execution request tothe external display device, and, after sending the emulator executionrequest to the external display device, determining an applicationidentifier for a screen of an application whose screen is determined tobe outputted to the external display device among the at least oneapplication and transmitting a signal corresponding to the screen andthe application identifier to the external display device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes the operations of receiving at least one of an inputsignal and a control signal for a specific application, from theexternal display device, and processing the at least one the inputsignal and the control signal using the specific application.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes the operation of transmitting an application identifiertogether with a screen of the processed specific application, to theexternal display device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes the operation of, when outputting a screen of aspecific application to the external display device is ended, stoppingoutputting the screen of the specific application to the externaldisplay device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theoperation of stopping outputting the screen of the specific applicationto the external display device includes the operations of sending arequest for emulator execution stop for the specific application to theexternal display device, and displaying the screen of the specificapplication in the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the screenof the application whose screen is determined to be outputted to theexternal display device is not displayed in the electronic device, and ascreen of an application whose screen is not determined to be outputtedto the external display device is displayed in the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes transmitting to the external display device an audiorelated to the application whose screen is determined to be outputted tothe external display device among the at least one application.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method forcontrolling an application of an electronic device in an externaldisplay device is provided. The method includes the operations ofreceiving a request for emulator execution for displaying a plurality ofapplications executed in the electronic device, from the electronicdevice, executing an emulator, receiving signals corresponding toscreens of the plurality of applications executed in the electronicdevice, from the electronic device, and displaying, in at least onescreen, the screens of the plurality of applications executed in theelectronic device, through the emulator.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes the operations of receiving at least one of an inputsignal and a control signal for a specific application, from an inputdevice connected to the external display device, and forwarding the atleast one of the input signal and the control signal for the specificapplication, to the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes the operation of receiving a screen of the specificapplication corresponding to the at least one of the input signal andthe control signal, from the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theplurality of applications executed in the electronic device aredistinguished by application identifiers.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a screen ofan application whose screen is determined to be outputted to theexternal display device is not displayed in the electronic device, and ascreen of an application whose screen is not determined to be outputtedto the external display device is displayed in the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the methodfurther includes receiving an audio related to the plurality ofapplications executed in the electronic device, from the electronicdevice.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice includes one or more processors, a memory, and one or moreprograms stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the oneor more processors is provided. The program includes an instruction ofexecuting at least one application, determining whether to output anapplication screen to the external display device, for the at least oneapplication, in response to determining to output the application screento the external display device, sending an emulator execution request tothe external display device, and, after sending the emulator executionrequest to the external display device, determining an applicationidentifier for a screen of an application whose screen is determined tobe outputted to the external display device among the at least oneapplication, and transmitting a signal corresponding to the screen andthe application identifier to the external display device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the programfurther includes an instruction of receiving at least one of an inputsignal and a control signal for a specific application, from theexternal display device, and processing the at least one the inputsignal and the control signal using the specific application.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the programfurther includes an instruction of transmitting an applicationidentifier together with a screen of the processed specific application,to the external display device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the programfurther includes an instruction of, when outputting a screen of aspecific application to the external display device is ended, stoppingoutputting the screen of the specific application to the externaldisplay device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theinstruction of stopping outputting the screen of the specificapplication to the external display device includes an instruction ofsending a request for emulator execution stop for the specificapplication to the external display device, and displaying the screen ofthe specific application in the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the screenof the application whose screen is determined to be outputted to theexternal display device is not displayed in the electronic device, and ascreen of an application whose screen is not determined to be outputtedto the external display device is displayed in the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the programfurther includes an instruction of transmitting to the external displaydevice an audio related to the application whose screen is determined tobe outputted to the external display device among the at least oneapplication.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an externaldisplay device for controlling an application of an electronic device isprovided. The electronic device includes a control unit configured toreceive a request for emulator execution for displaying a plurality ofapplications executed in the electronic device, from the electronicdevice, to execute an emulator and to receive signals corresponding toscreens of the plurality of applications executed in the electronicdevice, from the electronic device, and a display unit configured todisplay in one screen the screens of the plurality of applicationsexecuted in the electronic device, through the emulator.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controlunit is configured to receive at least one of an input signal and acontrol signal for a specific application, from an input deviceconnected to the external display device, and to forward the at leastone of the input signal and the control signal for the specificapplication, to the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controlunit is configured to receive a screen of the specific applicationcorresponding to at least one of the input signal and the controlsignal, from the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theplurality of applications executed in the electronic device aredistinguished by application identifiers.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a screen ofan application whose screen is determined to be outputted to theexternal display device is not displayed in the electronic device, and ascreen of an application whose screen is not determined to be outputtedto the external display device is displayed in the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the controlunit is configured to receive an audio related to the plurality ofapplications executed in the electronic device, from the electronicdevice.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a system forperforming a multi-tasking work using an external display device in anelectronic device is provided. The system includes the electronic deviceconfigured to output from the external display device screens or audiosof a plurality of applications, comprising application identifiers inthe screens or audios, executed in the electronic device, to send anemulator execution request to the external display device, and totransmit the screens or audios including the application identifiers tothe external display device, and the external display device configuredto receive, from the electronic device a request for emulator executionfor outputting from the external display device the screens or audios ofthe plurality of applications executed in the electronic device, toexecute an emulator, to receive the screens or audios from theelectronic device, and to display in one screen the screens of theplurality of applications executed in the electronic device, through theemulator, and to output audio signals of the plurality of applicationsexecuted in the electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theelectronic device is configured to receive at least one of an inputsignal and a control signal for a specific application, from theexternal display device, and to process the at least one of the inputsignal and the control signal using the specific application.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theelectronic device is configured to transmit an application identifiertogether with a screen of the processed specific application, to theexternal display device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, theexternal display device is configured to receive at least one of aninput signal and a control signal for a specific application, from aninput device connected to the external display device, and to forwardthe at least one of the input signal and the control signal for thespecific application, to the electronic device.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from thefollowing description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a construction of a system according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of using in an externaldisplay device a plurality of applications of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of using in an externaldisplay device a plurality of applications of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of performing multi-taskingusing an external display device in an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of performingmulti-tasking using an external display device in an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of using in an externaldisplay device a plurality of applications of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an externaldisplay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functionsand constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

Below, an embodiment of the present disclosure describes a method andapparatus for performing multi-tasking using an external display devicein an electronic device. Particularly, the embodiment relates to amethod and apparatus for executing a plurality of applications in theelectronic device and outputting screens of the plurality ofapplications to the external display device and, when receiving an inputor control signal from the external display device, performingprocessing corresponding to the input or control signal using acorresponding application among the plurality of applications.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device may include communication functionality. For example,an electronic device may be a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer(PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, alaptop PC, a netbook PC, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a PortableMultimedia Player (PMP), an mp3 player, a mobile medical device, acamera, a wearable device (e.g., a Head-Mounted Device (HMD), electronicclothes, electronic braces, an electronic necklace, an electronicappcessory, an electronic tattoo, or a smart watch), and/or the like.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device may be a smart home appliance with communicationfunctionality. A smart home appliance may be, for example, a television,a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player, an audio, a refrigerator, an airconditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washer, adryer, an air purifier, a set-top box, a TV box (e.g., SamsungHomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a gaming console, an electronicdictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, an electronic picture frame,and/or the like.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device may be a medical device (e.g., Magnetic ResonanceAngiography (MRA) device, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device,Computed Tomography (CT) device, an imaging device, or an ultrasonicdevice), a navigation device, a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver, an Event Data Recorder (EDR), a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), anautomotive infotainment device, a naval electronic device (e.g., navalnavigation device, gyroscope, or compass), an avionic electronic device,a security device, an industrial or consumer robot, and/or the like.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device may be furniture, part of a building/structure, anelectronic board, electronic signature receiving device, a projector,various measuring devices (e.g., water, electricity, gas orelectro-magnetic wave measuring devices), and/or the like that includecommunication functionality.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device may be any combination of the foregoing devices. Inaddition, it will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the artthat an electronic device according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure is not limited to the foregoing devices.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the externaldisplay device may be an electronic device. For example, the externaldisplay device may be a display device such as a smart Television (TV),a monitor of a computer, and/or the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a construction of a system according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure includes an external display device 100, anelectronic device 120, and an interface 130.

The external display device 100 may perform a function of displayingsignals corresponding to screens of a plurality of applications 102 and104 which are received from the electronic device 120 through theinterface 130. In addition, the external display device 100 may providean input signal or control signal of a corresponding application whichis generated to the electronic device 120 through the interface 130. Theinput signal or control signal of the corresponding application may begenerated through an input means such as a touch input, a keyboard, amouse, a remote controller, and/or the like. The external display device100 may further include an audio output module such as a speaker and/orthe like, and output even an audio signal received from the electronicdevice 120.

The interface 130 provides connection (e.g., direct connection) througha cable, or provides connection between the external display device 100and the electronic device 120 through wired Internet, or provides awireless connection between the external display device 100 and theelectronic device 120. The wireless connection may connect the externaldisplay device 100 and the electronic device 120 through a short-rangewireless communication such as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), anInfrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth, WiFi Direct, and/or thelike.

When an external display device view mode according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure is executed, the electronic device 120 transmitsa corresponding application screen signal of the electronic device 120to the external display device 100 such that the external display device100 displays an application screen of the electronic device 120 inresponse to the execution of the external display device view mode. Atthis time, the application screen selecting the external display deviceview mode may not be displayed in the electronic device 120. Forexample, the application screen displayed in the external display device100 is not displayed in the electronic device 120, and an applicationscreen not selecting the external display device view mode may bedisplayed in the electronic device 120.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theapplication screen selecting the external display device view mode maybe concurrently displayed in the electronic device 120 as well as theexternal display device 100.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of using in an externaldisplay device a plurality of applications of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, an electronic device 200 may be connected with anexternal display device 210. When the electronic device 200 executes aDigital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) application and an externaldisplay device view mode is selected for the DMB application, an outputsignal 202 corresponding to a DMB application screen of the electronicdevice 200 may be provided to the external display device 210. Accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure, the DMB applicationscreen 204 may not be displayed in the electronic device 200. However, aspecific application (e.g., a telephony application) not selecting theexternal display device view mode may be executed and displayed in theelectronic device 200.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the outputsignal 202 corresponding to the DMB application screen of the electronicdevice 200 may be compressed according to a corresponding imagecompression algorithm and may be provided to the external display device210.

The external display device 210 decompresses the output signal 202corresponding to the DMB application screen received from the electronicdevice 200 and provides the output signal 202 to an emulator that existsin a hardware structure or software structure within the externaldisplay device 210. The emulator of the external display device 210displays the output signal 202 corresponding to the DMB applicationscreen 240 received from the electronic device 200, on a screen of theexternal display device 210.

In contrast, when an input or control signal 212 for the DMB applicationdisplayed through the emulator of the external display device 210 isgenerated through an input device 230 (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, aremote controller, etc.) of the external display device 210 instead ofthe electronic device 200, the external display device 210 provides theinput or control signal 212 for the DMB application to the electronicdevice 200. The electronic device 200 may perform processingcorresponding to the input or control signal 212 through the DMBapplication, and may provide an output signal corresponding to theresultant screen, to the external display device 210.

For example, when the DMB application screen of the electronic device200 is displayed through the external display device 210, a DMB channelchange event may occur according to selection of channel change button242A or 242B using the input device 230 (e.g., a mouse of the externaldisplay device 210). For example, the external display device 210 mayreceive the signal 212 controlling the DMB application through the inputdevice 230 (e.g., the mouse, the keyboard, and/or the like), and mayprovide the control signal 212 to the electronic device 200. Thereafter,the electronic device 200 performs processing. For example, theelectronic device 200 may perform a channel change corresponding to thecontrol signal 212 received from the external display device 210. Theelectronic device 200 may provide the resultant screen to the externaldisplay device 210.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of using in an externaldisplay device a plurality of applications of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, an electronic device 300 is connected to anexternal display device 310. When the electronic device 300 executes amessage application and an external display device view mode is selectedfor the message application, an output signal 304 corresponding to amessage application screen of the electronic device 300 may be providedto an external display device 310. The message application screen 302may not be displayed in the electronic device 300. However, a specificapplication not selecting the external display device view mode may beexecuted and displayed in the electronic device 300. According tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure, a message applicationscreen 302 may or may not be displayed according to user selection oraccording to various settings of the electronic device and/orapplication.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the outputsignal 304 corresponding to the message application screen of theelectronic device 300 may be compressed according to a correspondingimage compression algorithm and may be provided to the external displaydevice 310.

The external display device 310 decompresses the output signal 304corresponding to the message application screen received from theelectronic device 300 and provides the output signal 304 to an emulatorthat exists in a hardware structure or software structure within theexternal display device 310. The emulator of the external display device310 displays the output signal 304 corresponding to the messageapplication screen received from the electronic device 300, on a screenof the external display device 310.

In contrast, when an input or control signal 312 for the messageapplication displayed through the emulator of the external displaydevice 310 is generated through an input device 330 (e.g., a keyboard, amouse, a remote controller, etc.) of the external display device 310instead of the electronic device 300, the external display device 310provides the input or control signal 312 for the message application tothe electronic device 300. The electronic device 300 may performprocessing corresponding to the input or control signal 312 through themessage application, and may provide an output signal corresponding tothe resultant screen, to the external display device 310.

For example, when the message application screen of the electronicdevice 300 is displayed through the external display device 310, amessage input and a control signal corresponding to a transmissioninstruction may be generated according to an input using the inputdevice 330 (e.g., a keyboard of the external display device 310). Forexample, after a message is input to a message input window 320 of themessage application through the input device 330 (e.g., the mouse, thekeyboard, and/or the like) in the external display device 310, when asend button 321 is selected, the external display device 310 may providethe input message and the control signal corresponding to thetransmission instruction, to the electronic device 300.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic device 300 may perform processing corresponding to the inputmessage and the control signal received from the external display device310. For example, the electronic device 200 may transmit the inputtedmessage to a counterpart electronic device and may provide the resultantscreen to the external display device 310. According to variousembodiments of the present disclosure, when the electronic device 300receives a message from the counterpart electronic device, the messageapplication may provide the message reception result to the externaldisplay device 310.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of performing multi-taskingusing an external display device in an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, an electronic device 400 may be connected to anexternal display device 420. When the electronic device 400 executes aDMB application and a message application, and when an external displaydevice view mode is selected for each of the DMB application and themessage application, the electronic device 400 sends output signals 402and 404 respectively corresponding to a DMB application screen and amessage application screen of the electronic device 400. Each of theoutput signals 402 and 404 may be provided to an external display device420. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the DMBapplication screen and/or the message application screen may not bedisplayed in the electronic device 400. However, a specific applicationnot selecting the external display device view mode may be executed anddisplayed in the electronic device 400. According to various embodimentsof the present disclosure, the DMB application screen and/or the messageapplication screen may or may not be displayed according to userselection or according to various settings of the electronic deviceand/or application.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, becausescreens of a plurality of applications are provided from the electronicdevice 400 to the external display device 420, output signals mayfurther include identifiers capable of identifying the applications inthe external display device 420.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the outputsignals 402 and 404 corresponding to the DMB application screen and themessage application screen of the electronic device 400 may becompressed according to a corresponding image compression algorithm andbe provided to the external display device 420.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the externaldisplay device 420 decompresses the output signals 402 and 404corresponding to the DMB application screen 430 and the messageapplication screen 440 received from the electronic device 400 andprovides the output signals 402 and 404 to an emulator that exists in ahardware structure or software structure within the external displaydevice 420. The emulator of the external display device 420 displays theoutput signals 402 and 404 corresponding to the DMB application screen430 and the message application screen 440 received from the electronicdevice 400, on one screen of the external display device 420.

When an input or control signal 422 or 424 for the DMB application orthe message application displayed through the emulator of the externaldisplay device 420 is generated through an input device (e.g., akeyboard, a mouse, a remote controller, and/or the like) of the externaldisplay device 420 instead of the electronic device 400, the externaldisplay device 420 provides the input or control signal 422 or 424 forthe DMB application or the message application to the electronic device400. The electronic device 400 may perform processing corresponding tothe input or control signal 422 or 424 through the DMB application orthe message application, and provide an output signal corresponding tothe resultant screen, to the external display device 420.

For example, when the DMB application screen of the electronic device400 is displayed through the external display device 420, a DMB channelchange event may occur through the input device (e.g., a mouse, and/orthe like of the external display device 420). For example, the externaldisplay device 420 may receive the signal 422 controlling the DMBapplication through the input device (e.g., the mouse, the keyboard,and/or the like), and may provide the control signal 422 to theelectronic device 400. Thereafter, the electronic device 400 performsprocessing. For example, the electronic device 400 may perform a channelchange corresponding to the control signal 422 received from theexternal display device 420. The electronic device 400 may provide theresultant screen to the external display device 420.

In addition, when the message application screen of the electronicdevice 400 is displayed through the external display device 420, amessage input and a control signal corresponding to a transmissioninstruction may be generated through the input device (e.g., a keyboardof the external display device 420). For example, after a message isinputted to a message input window 320 of the message applicationthrough the input device (e.g., the mouse, the keyboard, and/or thelike) in the external display device 420, when a send button 321 isselected, the external display device 420 may provide the input messageand the control signal 424 corresponding to the transmissioninstruction, to the electronic device 400.

The electronic device 400 may perform processing corresponding to theinput message and the control signal 422 received from the externaldisplay device 420. For example, the electronic device 400 may transmitthe inputted message to a counterpart electronic device and may providethe resultant screen to the external display device 420. In contrast,when the electronic device 400 receives a message from the counterpartelectronic device, the message application may provide the messagereception result to the external display device 420.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the externaldisplay device 420 displays a plurality of applications executed in theelectronic device 400, and controls the plurality of applicationsexecuted in the electronic device 400 through the input device (notshown) connected to the external display device 420. As a result,various embodiments of the present disclosure are able to decrease aninconvenience of a multi-tasking work caused by a small screen of theelectronic device 400.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of performingmulti-tasking using an external display device in an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, at operation 500, the electronic device may executea specific application. For example, the electronic device may execute aspecific application according to a user input.

At operation 502, the electronic device may determine whether to outputa screen of the executed specific application to the external displaydevice. For example, the electronic device determines whether theelectronic device has been set to an external display device view mode.As an example, hereinafter, a mode of outputting the screen of thespecific application of the electronic device to the external displaydevice is referred to as an external display device view mode.

If the electronic device determines not to output a screen of theexecuted specific application to the external display device atoperation 502, then the electronic device may end the procedure ofperforming multi-tasking using an external display device.

If the electronic device determines to output a screen of the executedspecific application to the external display device at operation 502,then the electronic device proceeds to operation 504, at which theelectronic device forwards an application identifier to an externaldisplay device and requests emulator execution. For example, when theexternal display device view mode is set for the executed specificapplication, the electronic device may forward an application identifierof the electronic device to the external display device, and may send arequest for emulation execution to an emulator. The emulator may beimplemented in hardware or software within the external display deviceor the electronic device. According to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the application identifier may be randomlydetermined within the electronic device, or may be allocated anddetermined by the external display device.

At operation 506, the electronic device may compress the executedspecific application screen and may transmit the compressed specificapplication screen to the external display device. The specificapplication screen may be periodically compressed and transmitted to theexternal display device, or may be transmitted to the external displaydevice whenever the specific application screen is changed in accordancewith an event.

At operation 508, the electronic device determines whether an input orcontrol signal is received from the external display device.

If the electronic device determines that an input or control signal isnot received from the external display device at operation 508, then theelectronic device may return to operation 506.

In contrast, if the electronic device determines that an input orcontrol signal is received from the external display device at operation508, then the electronic device proceeds to operation 510.

At operation 510, the electronic device may process the input or controlsignal received from the external display device, using thecorresponding application. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, whenthe DMB application of the electronic device is displayed in theexternal display device and a control signal corresponding to a DMBbroadcasting channel change is generated (e.g., through selection usingan input means such as a touch input, a mouse click, and/or the like inthe external display device), the external display device provides thecontrol signal to the electronic device. The electronic device may drivethe DMB application in accordance to the control signal received fromthe external display device and may provide the result to the externaldisplay device.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the message application ofthe electronic device is displayed in the external display device and aninput signal corresponding to a message input is generated (e.g.,through use of an input means such as a touch input, a keyboard input,and/or the like in the external display device), the external displaydevice provides the input signal to the electronic device. Theelectronic device may drive the message application in response to theinput signal received from the external display device and may providethe result to the external display device.

At operation 512, the electronic device determines whether to endoutputting the screen of the executed application to the externaldisplay device. In other words, the electronic device determines whetherthe external display device view mode setting for the executedapplication has been canceled.

If the electronic device determines not to end outputting the screen ofthe executed application to the external display device at operation512, then the electronic device may return to operation 506. Forexample, if the external display device view mode setting for theexecuted application is not canceled, the electronic device returns tooperation 506.

In contrast, if the electronic device determines to end outputting thescreen of the executed application to the external display device atoperation 512, then the electronic device may proceed to operation 514.For example, if the external display device view mode setting for thespecific application is canceled, the electronic device proceeds tooperation 514.

At operation 514, the electronic device may stop outputting the specificapplication screen to the external display device and may send a requestfor ending the emulator to the external display device. The electronicdevice may display the specific application screen on a screen of theelectronic device.

Thereafter, the electronic device terminates the procedure of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of using in an externaldisplay device a plurality of applications of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, at operation 600, the external display devicereceives from the electronic device an emulator execution request fordriving an application of the electronic device.

At operation 602, the external display device executes an emulator. Forexample, the external display device executes the emulator in responseto the emulator execution request of the electronic device.

At operation 604, the external display device receives a signalcorresponding to at least one application screen together with anexecuted application identifier, from the electronic device. If the atleast one application screen is compressed and transmitted, the externaldisplay device decompresses the at least one application screen througha corresponding image decompression algorithm.

At operation 606, the external display device provides the signalcorresponding to the at least one application screen to the emulator.

At operation 608, the external display device may drive the at least oneapplication through the emulator. The external display device maydisplay the at least one application on one screen of the externaldisplay device.

At operation 610, the external display device determines whether aninput or control signal event occurs. For example, the external displaydevice determines whether an input or control signal is detected.

If the external display device determines that an input or controlsignal event does not occur at operation 610, then the external displaydevice may return to operation 604.

If the external display device determines that an input or controlsignal event occurs at operation 610, then the external display devicemay proceed to operation 612 at which the external display device mayforward an input or control signal to the electronic device. Forexample, if an input or control signal is generated through an inputdevice (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touch input, a remote controller,and/or the like) connected to the external display device at operation610, then the external display device may proceed to operation 612.

At operation 612, the external display device may forward the input orcontrol signal to the electronic device and thereafter return tooperation 604. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the DMBapplication of the electronic device is displayed in the externaldisplay device and a control signal corresponding to a DMB broadcastingchannel change is generated through touch input or mouse click in theexternal display device, the external display device provides thecontrol signal to the electronic device. The electronic device may drivethe DMB application in accordance to the control signal received fromthe external display device and may provide the result to the externaldisplay device.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the message application ofthe electronic device is displayed in the external display device and aninput signal corresponding to a message input is generated through touchinput or keyboard input in the external display device, the externaldisplay device provides the input signal to the electronic device. Theelectronic device may drive the message application in response to theinput signal received from the external display device and may providethe result to the external display device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the electronic device includes a controller 700, aspeaker/microphone 710, a camera 720, a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver 730, a Radio Frequency (RF) processor 740, a sensor module 750,a touch screen 760, a touch screen controller 765, and an externalmemory 770.

The controller 700 may include an interface 701, one or more processors(e.g., an application processor 702 and/or a communication processor703), and an internal memory 704. According to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure, the whole controller 700 may be called aprocessor as well. The interface 701, the application processor 702, thecommunication processor 703, and the internal memory 704 may be separateconstituent elements or may be integrated in one or more integratedcircuits.

The application processor 702 executes various software programs toperform various functions for the electronic device. The communicationprocessor 703 performs processing and control for voice communicationand data communication. In addition, further to this general function,the processors (e.g., the application processor 702 and thecommunication processor 703) play even a role of executing specificsoftware modules (e.g., instruction sets) stored in the external memory770 or internal memory 704 to perform specific various functionscorresponding to the software modules. For example, the processors(e.g., the application processor 702 and/or the communication processor703) interwork with software modules stored in the external memory 770or the internal memory 704 and perform a method of an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. According to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the application processor 702 may perform a method forperforming multi-tasking using the external display device disclosed inFIG. 5.

For example, the application processor 702 executes a specificapplication by a user input. The application processor 702 determineswhether to output a screen of the executed specific application to theexternal display device (e.g., determines whether the electronic deviceis set to an external display device view mode. The applicationprocessor 702 forwards an application identifier of the electronicdevice to the external display device when the external display deviceview mode is set for the executed specific application. The applicationprocessor 702 sends a request for emulation execution to an emulator.The application processor 702 compresses the executed specificapplication screen. The application processor 702 transmits thecompressed specific application screen to the external display device.The application processor 702 processes the input or control signalreceived from the external display device using the correspondingapplication if an input or control signal is received from the externaldisplay device.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the DMB application of theelectronic device is displayed in the external display device and acontrol signal corresponding to a DMB broadcasting channel change isgenerated in the external display device according to an input using aninput means (e.g., a touch input, a mouse click, and/or the like), theexternal display device provides the control signal to the electronicdevice. The electronic device may drive the DMB application inaccordance to the control signal received from the external displaydevice and provide the result to the external display device.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the message application ofthe electronic device is displayed in the external display device and aninput signal corresponding to a message input is generated in theexternal display device according to an input using an input means(e.g., a touch input, a keyboard input, and/or the like), the externaldisplay device provides the input signal to the electronic device. Theelectronic device may drive the message application in response to theinput signal received from the external display device and provide theresult to the external display device.

Further, the application processor 702 determines whether to endoutputting the screen of the executed application to the externaldisplay device. For example, the application processor 702 determineswhether the external display device view mode setting for the executedapplication has been canceled, stops outputting the specific applicationscreen to the external display device, and sends a request for endingthe emulator to the external display device. The application processor702 displays the specific application screen on a screen of theelectronic device.

The interface 701 is connected to the touch screen controller 765 of theelectronic device and the external memory 770 thereof.

The sensor module 750 may be coupled to the interface 701 to enablevarious functions. For instance, a motion sensor, and/or an opticalsensor may be coupled to the interface 701. The motion sensor and/or theoptical sensor may respectively detect a motion of the electronic deviceand light from the exterior. According to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the electronic device may include a positioningsystem, other sensors such as a temperature sensor, a biological sensor,and/or the like that may be connected to the interface 701 to performrelated functions.

The camera 720 may be coupled with the sensor module 750 through theinterface 701 to perform a camera function such as photo and video cliprecording.

The RF processor 740 performs a communication function. For example,under the control of the communication processor 703, the RF processor740 converts an RF signal into a baseband signal and provides thebaseband signal to the communication processor 703, or converts abaseband signal from the communication processor 703 into an RF signaland transmits the RF signal. The communication processor 703 processes abaseband signal in various communication methods. For example, thecommunication method can include, though not limited to, a Global Systemfor Mobile Communication (GSM) communication method, an Enhanced DataGSM Environment (EDGE) communication method, a Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) communication method, a Wireless-Code Division MultipleAccess (W-CDMA) communication method, a Long Term Evolution (LTE)communication method, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access(OFDMA) communication method, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communicationmethod, a WiMAX communication method, a Bluetooth communication method,and/or the like.

The speaker/microphone 710 may operate input and output of an audiostream, such as voice recognition, voice replication, digital recording,telephone function, and/or the like. For example, the speaker/microphone710 converts a voice signal into an electrical signal, or converts anelectrical signal into a voice signal. Although not illustrated,attachable and detachable ear phone, head phone, head set, and/or thelike may be connected to the electronic device through an external port.

The touch screen controller 765 may be coupled to the touch screen 760.The touch screen 760 and the touch screen controller 765 may detect atouch and a motion or an interruption of the touch screen 760 and/or thetouch screen controller 765, by using, although not limited to, not onlycapacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave technologiesand/or the like for determining one or more touch points with the touchscreen 760. The touch screen 760 and the touch screen controller 765 maydetect a touch and a motion or an interruption of the touch screen 760and/or the touch screen controller 765 using any multi-touch sensing(e.g., detecting) technology including other proximity sensor arrays orother elements.

The touch screen 760 provides an input/output interface between theelectronic device and a user. For example, the touch screen 760 forwardsa user's touch input to the electronic device. In addition, the touchscreen 760 is a medium for showing to the user an output of theelectronic device. For example, the touch screen 760 shows to the user avisual output. This visual output is displayed in form of a text, agraphic, a video and a combination of them.

The touch screen 760 may use various displays. For instance, the touchscreen 760 may use, although not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a Light emitting Polymer Display(LPD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), an Active Matrix OrganicLight Emitting Diode (AMOLED) a Flexible LED (FLED), and/or the like.

The GPS receiver 730 converts signals received from three artificialsatellites into information of a location, a speed, a time, and/or thelike. For instance, the GPS receiver 730 determines distances betweenthe artificial satellites and the GPS receiver 730 through amultiplication of the speed of light and signal arrival time, andobtains accurate locations and distances of the three artificialsatellites and measures a location of the electronic device by the knowntriangulation principle.

The external memory 770 or the internal memory 704 may includehigh-speed random access memories and/or non-volatile memories such asone or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storagedevices, flash memories (e.g., Not AND (NAND) or Not OR (NOR) memories),and/or the like.

The external memory 770 or the internal memory 704 stores software. Asoftware constituent element includes an Operating System (OS) softwaremodule, a communication software module, a graphical software module, auser interface software module, an MPEG module, a camera softwaremodule, one or more application software modules, and/or the like. Inaddition, the module, a software constituent element, may be expressedas a set of instructions. Therefore, the module is also expressed as aninstruction set. The module is also expressed as a program.

The OS software includes various software constituent elementscontrolling general system operation. As an example, the control of thegeneral system operation includes memory management and control, storagehardware (device) control and management, power control and management,and/or the like. The OS software performs even a function of makingsmooth communication between various hardware (devices) and softwareconstituent elements (modules).

The communication software module enables communication with otherelectronic devices such as a computer, a server, a portable terminaland/or the like through the RF processor 740. The communication softwaremodule may be constructed in a protocol structure corresponding to acorresponding communication method.

The graphical software module includes various software constituentelements for providing and displaying a graphic on the touch screen 760.The term ‘graphic’ may be used as a meaning including a text, a webpage, an icon, a digital image, a video, an animation, and/or the like.

The user interface software module includes various software constituentelements associated with a user interface. The user interface softwaremodule includes information about how a state of the user interface ischanged, whether the change of the state of the user interface iscarried out in which conditions, and/or the like.

The camera software module includes a camera-related softwareconstituent element for enabling camera related processes and functions.The application module includes a browser, an electronic mail (e-mail),an instant message, a word processing, a keyboard emulation, an addressbook, a touch list, a widget, a Digital Right Management (DRM), a voicerecognition, a voice replication, a position determining function, alocation based service, and/or the like. The memories 770 and 704 mayinclude additional modules (e.g., instructions) besides theabove-mentioned modules. According to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, according to need, the memories 770 and 704 may not use somemodules (e.g., instructions).

For example, the application module may include instructions ofexecuting a specific application by a user input, determining whether tooutput a screen of the executed specific application to the externaldisplay device (e.g., determining whether the electronic device is setto an external display device view mode, forwarding an applicationidentifier of the electronic device to the external display device whenthe external display device view mode is set for the executed specificapplication, sending a request for emulation execution to an emulator,compressing the executed specific application screen and transmittingthe compressed specific application screen to the external displaydevice, processing the input or control signal received from theexternal display device using the corresponding application if an inputor control signal is received from the external display device.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when the DMB application of theelectronic device is displayed in the external display device and acontrol signal corresponding to a DMB broadcasting channel change isgenerated in the external display device according to an input using aninput means (e.g., a touch input, a mouse click, and/or the like), theexternal display device provides the control signal to the electronicdevice. The electronic device may drive the DMB application inaccordance to the control signal received from the external displaydevice and provide the result to the external display device.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the message application ofthe electronic device is displayed in the external display device and aninput signal corresponding to a message input is generated in theexternal display device according to an input using an input means(e.g., a touch input, keyboard input, and/or the like), the externaldisplay device provides the input signal to the electronic device. Theelectronic device may drive the message application in response to theinput signal received from the external display device and provide theresult to the external display device.

Further, the application module may further include an instruction ofdetermining whether to end outputting the screen of the executedapplication to the external display device. For example, the applicationmodule may include an instruction of determining whether the externaldisplay device view mode setting for the executed application has beencanceled. The application module may include an instruction of stoppingoutputting the specific application screen to the external displaydevice and sending a request for ending the emulator to the externaldisplay device. The application module may include an instruction ofdisplaying the specific application screen on a screen of the electronicdevice.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an externaldisplay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the external display device may include a controlunit 800, an input unit 820, a transmission unit 830, and a display unit840. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, morefunction blocks may be added to the external display device.

The transmission unit 830 may receive an emulator execution request fordriving an application of the electronic device from an electronicdevice through a wired or wireless interface. The transmission unit 830may receive a signal corresponding to at least one application screentogether with an application identifier, from the electronic devicethrough a wired or wireless interface.

The control unit 800 performs the general control of the externaldisplay device. According to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the control unit 800 executes an emulator 810 in response tothe emulator execution request of the electronic device. In addition,when the at least one application screen is compressed and transmitted,the control unit 800 may decompress the at least one application screenthrough a corresponding image decompression algorithm, provide a signalcorresponding to the decompressed at least one application screen to theemulator 810, drive at least one application through the emulator 810,and display the at least one application in the display unit 840.

When an input or control signal is generated through an input unit 820(e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touch input, a remote controller, and/orthe like), the control unit 800 forwards the input or control signal tothe electronic device. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when theDMB application of the electronic device is displayed in the externaldisplay device and a control signal corresponding to a DMB broadcastingchannel change is generated through an input (e.g., a touch input, amouse click, and/or the like) in the external display device, theexternal display device provides the control signal to the electronicdevice. The electronic device may drive the DMB application inaccordance to the control signal received from the external displaydevice and may provide the result to the external display device.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the message application ofthe electronic device is displayed in the external display device and aninput signal corresponding to a message input is generated through aninput (e.g., a touch input, a keyboard input, and/or the like) in theexternal display device, the external display device provides the inputsignal to the electronic device. The electronic device may drive themessage application in response to the input signal received from theexternal display device and provide the result to the external displaydevice.

Methods according to various embodiments disclosed in claims and/orspecification of the present disclosure can be implemented in a form ofhardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

If the methods are implemented by software, non-transitory acomputer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (e.g.,software modules) can be provided. The one or more programs stored inthe non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are configured to beexecuted by one or more processors of an electronic device. The one ormore programs can include instructions for enabling the electronicdevice to execute the methods according to the various embodimentsdisclosed in the claims and/or specification of the present disclosure.

These programs (e.g., software modules or software) can be stored in aRandom Access Memory (RAM), a nonvolatile memory including a flashmemory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable ProgrammableROM (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a Compact Disc ROM(CD-ROM), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or an optical storage device ofother form, and a magnetic cassette. According to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure, the programs can be stored in a memoryconstructed by a combination of some or all of the above identifiedtypes of memory. In addition, each constructed memory may be included inplural.

In addition, the programs can be stored in an attachable storage devicewhich is accessible to the electronic device through a communicationnetwork such as the Internet, an intranet, a Local Area Network (LAN), aWLAN and a Storage Area Network (SAN) or a communication networkconstructed by a combination of them. This storage device can access theelectronic device through an external port.

In addition, a separate storage device on the communication network mayaccess a portable electronic device.

As described above, various embodiments of the present disclosure canperform multi-tasking conveniently by performing multi-tasking using anexternal display device in an electronic device. In addition, thevarious embodiments of the present disclosure can use even in theexternal display device a plurality of applications used in theelectronic device.

Although the present disclosure has been shown and described withreference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a display; amemory storing at least a first application and a second application;and a processor, operatively coupled to the display and the memory,configured to: directly connect with an external device through a wiredinterface, execute the first application and transmit, to the externaldevice, data for displaying a screen of the executed the firstapplication on a display of the external device, wherein the screen ofthe executed the first application is not displayed on the display ofthe electronic device, receive, through a keyboard of the externaldevice, a first user input to control the first application executed inthe electronic device, based at least on the receiving the first userinput, control the first application and transmit, to the externaldevice, data for displaying a changed screen of the executed the firstapplication on the display of the external device, and execute, by asecond user input at the electronic device, the second application anddisplay a screen of the executed second application on the display ofthe electronic device, wherein the screen of the executed secondapplication is not displayed on the display of the external device. 2.The electronic device of the claim 1, wherein the processor furtherconfigured to transmit, to the external device, audio data related tothe first application.
 3. The electronic device of the claim 1, whereinthe processor further configured to transmit, to another electronicdevice, data corresponding to the first user input through the firstapplication.
 4. The electronic device of the claim 1, wherein the firstuser input includes an inputted message.
 5. The electronic device of theclaim 1, wherein the processor further configured to transmit, to theexternal device, a request for emulation execution.
 6. The electronicdevice of the claim 1, wherein the processor further configured todetermine whether the electronic device has been set to an externaldevice view mode before transmitting, to the external device, data fordisplaying the screen of the executed the first application on thedisplay of the external device.
 7. A method for operating an electronicdevice, comprising: executing a first application and transmitting, toexternal device, data for displaying a screen of the executed the firstapplication on a display of the external device, wherein the screen ofthe executed the first application is not displayed on the display ofthe electronic device; receiving, through a keyboard of the externaldevice, a first user input to control the first application executed inthe electronic device; based at least on the receiving the first userinput, controlling the first application and transmitting, to theexternal device, data for displaying a changed screen of the executedthe first application on the display of the external device; andexecuting, by a second user input at the electronic device, a secondapplication and display a screen of the executed second application onthe display of the electronic device, wherein the screen of the executedsecond application is not displayed on the display of the externaldevice.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising transmitting, tothe external device, audio data related to the first application.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising transmitting to another electronicdevice, data corresponding to the first user input through the firstapplication.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the first user inputincludes an inputted message.
 11. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising transmitting, to the external device, a request for emulationexecution.
 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising determiningwhether the electronic device has been set to an external device viewmode before transmitting, to the external device, data for displayingthe screen of the executed the first application on the display of theexternal device.